Video: Rev Dill Sworn In & Premier To Do Finance

February 16, 2022

[Updating] There will be a swearing-in ceremony at Government House at 9.00am on Wednesday morning [Feb 16] at Government House, and while it was not stated what it was for, the timing suggests that it may be a new Government Senator, as the Senate is scheduled to meet at 10.00am on Wednesday, and a Government Senator’s resignation took effect two weeks ago.

The Senate consists of 11 members, five selected by the Governing party, three by the official Opposition, and three Independents appointed by the Governor. The current OBA/Opposition Senators are Ben Smith, Robin Tucker and Marcus Jones, the Independent Senators are Joan Dillas-Wright, Michelle Simmons and John Wight, and the remaining four PLP/Government Senators are Owen Darrell, Arianna Hodgson, Lindsay Simmons and Dr Ernest Peets, who also serves in Cabinet.

The former Government Senator Curtis Richardson resigned after widespread criticism over aspects of his handling of his $19,000 debt to an elderly landlord, and he also served as the Junior Minister for Transportation and National Security.

There is also, of course, the matter of a Finance Minister, and with the Budget scheduled to be held on February 25th, timing is of importance, so that could also be what the swearing in is about.

The Finance Minister must come from the House of Assembly, and the short timing and the fact the Premier previously served as Finance Minister and Shadow Finance Minister, lead many think it is likely he may handle the portfolio for the upcoming Budget. Ministers can be sworn-in, in the case of an actual Cabinet Shuffle, or they can also, as we often see, serve in the position in an ‘Acting’ capacity.

We will provide coverage of the swearing-in tomorrow.

Update 8.30am:  We should have live video at around 9.00am or so, please be warned our connection is not too great, so we may have some freezing or so, apologies in advance if this happens

Update 9.30am: Rev. Dr. EmilyGail Dill was sworn in as the new Senator, and the Premier will take over the Finance portfolio.

Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 20-minute replay is below

Update 12.45pm: Premier David Burt’s remarks:

Your Excellency, Deputy Premier, Minister Wilson, Senate Leader Dr. Peets, colleagues, friends, members of the media; good morning.

Let me begin today by welcoming Rev. Dr. EmilyGail Dill to the Senate and congratulating her on her appointment as a Junior Minister.

She has answered a call to serve at an important time in Bermuda and I am grateful for her willingness to embark on this new facet of her already extensive public service.

Rev. Dr. Dill is a graduate of Spelman College and holds a Human Resources Director Certificate from Cornell University; a master’s degree in Leadership and Administration from the Interdenominational Theological Centre; and a doctorate in Leadership and Organisational Development from United Theological Seminary, in Dayton, Ohio.

Her career experiences include the arts, education and ministry. Rev. Dr. Dill currently serves as Assistant Pastor of Allen Temple AME Church in Somerset.

Senator Dill will also serve as Junior Minister for National Security and Transport. She brings to the Senate her considerable strengths in these areas and a genuine empathy for the needs of others.

Premier, Governor, Senator Bermuda Feb 2022

Her record of work and success with Bermuda’s youth through the Alternative Education programme will add to the dedicated team at the Ministry National Security who are focused on tackling the root causes of gang violence.

I am grateful to her for accepting this challenge and I look forward to her reasoned contributions to debates and her strong voice in support of this Government’s legislative agenda.

In addition to the appointment of Rev. Dr. Dill today, I have invited Her Excellency the Governor to assign to me the responsibility for the Finance portfolio.

In November 2018 I could not have been more pleased to handover the management of the public treasury to Curtis Dickinson.

As a Minister, Curtis added a thoughtful and measured voice to the deliberations of Cabinet and brought to his service as Minister of Finance a wealth of experience honed by working at the forefront of investment banking in one of the world’s leading financial centres.

As I said earlier this week, I reluctantly accepted Curtis’ resignation and did so out of respect for him. I sincerely valued his time and counsel as Minister of Finance and look forward to his continued support of this government and take this opportunity again to thank him for his service.

Needless to say, we are on the cusp of the delivery of a Budget for the next fiscal year and I can confirm that the schedule for the Budget is unaltered.

Premier, Govt and Senators Bermuda Feb 2022

Budget Day is February 25th and the work in preparation of the Budget, which begins in October of the previous year, was largely completed prior to MP Dickinson’s resignation on Monday.

I have already started working with the dedicated team in the Ministry of Finance to compose a Statement in Support of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Fiscal Year 2022/23.

This will be an extremely difficult budget as we strike the balance required to stabilize public finances, promote economic growth, deliver on our election promises, and provide relief and services for the people of this country.

That is the task ahead and every waking hour is now devoted to repairing the damage done to the economy by the pandemic and returning activity and growth to our economic forecasts.

There are also critical promises on which we must deliver related to finance:

  • Pension reform to assist first time-homeowners
  • Mortgage relief for hardworking families
  • Enhanced protection for consumers when dealing with banks and other financial institutions; and
  • Tax reform to promote greater equality in our tax system

No resignation from the Cabinet is ideal and there is no ideal time for such a thing to occur. However, the strength of our system of Government is in continuity.

The Ministry of Finance is staffed by a team of consummate professionals with whom I have had the privilege of working previously and this will be a seamless transition thanks to their level of expertise and constant attention to the various issues, both local and foreign that impact the Ministry’s mission.

Additionally, the Cabinet is likewise preparing for this new fiscal year and laying the groundwork for the delivery of those items promised in the 2021 Throne Speech and our 2020 General Election Platform.

There is a resilience in both the Cabinet and the backbench that will serve Bermuda well as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic and continue to commit ourselves every day to improving the lives of the people we serve.

Thank you

Update 3.25pm: A PLP spokesperson said, “The Progressive Labour Party is pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Emilygail Dill to our Senate team to serve as Junior Minister for Transportation & National Security.

“Senator Rev. Dr. Dill was educated at The Berkeley Institute and Sandys Secondary School. Her Bachelor of Arts was in English and Secondary Education from the esteemed Spelman College in Atlanta, with a minor in Music and Theater. She later obtained her Master’s Degree from the Interdenominational Theology Center in Atlanta with a concentration in Leadership Development and Pastoral Counseling. Senator Rev. Dr. Dill completed her Doctorate in Leadership Development and Organization Dynamics from the United-Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and her Human Resources Director Certification from Cornell University.

“Senator Rev. Dr. Dill is an ordained Minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She has worked in the Bermuda Public School System as a teacher, an Educational Therapist and as a Counselor. These skills sets will be of great value in her new role as the Junior Minister of National Security and Transport.

Premier David Burt said: “I welcome Rev. Dr. EmilyGail Dill to the Senate and congratulate her on her appointment as a Junior Minister. She has answered a call to serve at an important time in Bermuda and I am grateful for her willingness to embark on this new facet of her already extensive public service.

“She brings to her appointments as Senator and Junior Minister considerable strengths in the arts, education and ministry and a genuine empathy for the needs of others. Her record of work and success with Bermuda’s youth through the Alternative Education programme will add to the dedicated team at the Ministry of National Security who are focussed on tackling the root causes of gang violence.

“I am grateful to her for accepting this challenge and I look forward to her reasoned contributions to debates and her strong voice in support of this Government’s legislative agenda.”

“Senator Dill is married to Rev. Howard Dill, the Senior Pastor at Allen Temple AME Church, Sandys.

“The PLP is confident that the Senator’s education, community service , and professional experience , will be a valuable asset to our Senate Team as they work on behalf of all Bermudians.”

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Comments (45)

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  1. Joe Bloggs says:

    Perhaps Curtis Richardson can be sworn in again, this time as finance minister

  2. rotten onion says:

    Dear PLP sopporters, do you prefer vaseline or KY jelly.

  3. unknown800k says:

    I hear new finance minister is someone with a good job already, and willing to ruin his career for the FM.
    Shrew de grape vine

  4. Do ya get it yet? says:

    Ok Folks…
    Perhpas now you will see. In this bi-partisan, Westminster style “democracy” what you get is the PARTY you vote for. No matter how great the individual MP is that you think you are voting for, what you actually get is a PARTY in power.
    Then, the decisions are made by whatever dictator is at the helm of that party.
    Think about that next election. You are not voting for Tinee Furbert, or Derrick Burgess, or Rolfe. If you vote for any PLP candidate, all you are doing is handing ALL the power to David Burt.
    Same applies to OBA (but they are more of an oligarch cabal).
    So – have a think about whether you want the dictator or the oligarchy in charge next election – and have a think anbout which is best for keeping the country out of the third world.

    • Burtcoin says:

      We said , well explained . I have the same conversation with David dodwell at the time he was torism minister. I vote for him in my constituency and then they don’t even get a portfolio. Even if he did he is then no longer directly representing the voters in that constituency but now the whole country. Makes no sense! Our system was never a democracy!

  5. George says:

    Was Cole there?

  6. dunn juice says:

    I guess another FOF is due a payment
    well done voters!

  7. watching says:

    Great appointment Premier Burt.

    Stay focused.
    Don’t let the distractions get to you. It is all coordinated.
    Stay focused on delivering for the people and all will be well.

    Rev Dr Dill will deliver as a Senator. She is smart, articulate, and committed. Additionally, she also has spunk and spark and will say what needs to be said.

    • sandgrownan says:

      Nope. She immediately asked for God’s help.

      Apart from the obvious futility of asking for help from some imaginary friend in the sky, and all the ludicrous moral contradictions that go with organised religion, I need someone motivated by sound, rational thought. Not a God botherer.

      She’s a yes “man” – she’s going to vote right down the party line. Meaningless appointment.

    • Burtcoin says:

      She won’t last long if her morals are grounded

  8. comfortably numb says:

    Burt for Finance despite failing to run his swizzle business legally and giving $800,000 to a con man from Atlanta? Not the best cv for the job – bring back Curtis!

  9. Congrats says:

    Best wishes as she branches out to tackle some tough issues.

  10. Kevin says:

    Guess that sums it up the plp have no one who can replace Dickinson and now the Pied Piper of all Pied pipers takes over Finance ..he screwed it up Royally the first time and the second time so three strikes and Bermuda is out. pretty Sad state of affairs . Gambling is doing great under his Control ..Tourism is doing great under his control…Education is blooming under his direction Our roads and infrastructure is the best in the third world come on Resign and lets just get individuals in who can bring some substance to the table .. because if we dont we wont need a table

  11. CHRIS says:

    MORE religion in our politics! should never be allowed.

  12. spanner breath says:

    worst arrogant premier ever?

  13. trufth says:

    I think Burt forgot who he works for and who pays his salary.
    Burt needs to climb down off that high horse and answer to his employers without arrogance and disrespect of the media.

    • Ladeej says:

      How about when the media is disrespectful to the Premier?

      • Truthhertz says:

        Define disrespectful. Because asking questions on topics/issue that politicians would rather ignore or forget isn’t disrespectful. That is journalism. And for an individual, whilst in opposition, who promised transparency and the like if he was voted in, he doesn’t appear to be living up to yet another campaign pledge.

        • Burtcoin says:

          The journalism in this country is weak!

          • Question says:

            When pressed on who paid for his free trip, Burt showed us what a sociopath he is. The Premier, Finance Minister, and Tourism Minister. Taking backhanders, from undisclosed sources.

            • Joe Bloggs says:

              “The Premier, Finance Minister, and Tourism Minister.”

              Remember the words of Lord Acton, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

          • Timothy says:

            Agree

      • Toodle-oo says:

        How about This Government actually answer (honestly) some questions for a change and leave their conspiracy theories about who the press works for at home ?
        Politicians here are awfully lucky they don’t get handled by the media/press like their counterparts overseas do.

  14. Tom says:

    Talk about giving the kid the keys to d candy store!,

  15. Question says:

    We would have been so much better off if Burt had resigned and Dickinson had become Premier.

  16. sandgrownan says:

    “That is the task ahead and every waking hour is now devoted to repairing the damage done to the economy by the pandemic and returning activity and growth to our economic forecasts.”

    Said without a hint of irony. What about the damage done to the economy by the PLP over the past 20 years?

  17. Tom says:

    Burts going to be doing a lot more traveling!!,

  18. Triangle Drifter says:

    Ducking questions & getting a couple of happy meals for $23.00

  19. Food for thought says:

    All of Bermuda need to keep praying and let God do His works for us all. Things will get better when we all come together as ONE. Keep pounding the storm Mr. Burt God will bring you through it all.

    • Ringmaster says:

      If God was for real He would not have let the PLP ruin Bermuda in the first place.

    • Burtcoin says:

      Clearly you live in lala land. Historically the world has only gotten worse. And zero chance of people coming together. Same old mumble jumble hopeful BS.

  20. Bermydude says:

    Edward David Burt as FM??
    Lord help us, how will he manage the country’s purse strings???

  21. Unknown800k says:

    Has anyone heard fromnsavvy entertainer..
    Or I guess police commissioner gone, so is the savvy entertainer